Catalog (344)

During the late 1800's and early 1900's eyeglasses became an important accessory for the Chinese. Upon seeing eyeglasses on visiting Western dignitaries and businessmen, the Chinese perceived and admired these "spectacles" as age enhancing. Not only did the eyeglasses improve eyesight...but they added age and dignity to the face of the wearer. Equating age with wisdom and respect, many Chinese took up the custom of wearing eyeglasses. Those Chinese with good eyesight...used clear lens with no...

A must have for any lotus shoe collector. This iron was used for pressing lotus shoes. The thin curved end was useful for getting into the toe area. Made of iron, it is somewhat rusty-i.e. pleasantly aged. Length tip to tip is 13"

This small purse was made by Miao girl to be given to "boyfriend"...If he accepts and wears the purse on his belt...he favors her. The embroidery stitch is called Daiz but westerners know it as Peking knot aka forbidden stitch. 5.5 x 3 excellant condition

This is a traditional old style Chinese doodoo which is worn buttoned to the front of a womans shirt. It is made of black cotton fabric and embroidered with silk thread using a satin stitch. The motif is typical Miao...birds and flowers. It is in good condition appears slightly faded. This piece measures approx 11" X 11" and would look very nice framed. Age approx 65 yrs old

This very nice traditional Chinese pillow has leg supports which fold up when it is not in use. The top is made of shaped and stained bamboo slats which flex for soft comfort. The body of the piece is made of a dark wood with carved scrollwork along the bottom edge. Each end has an elaborate carving of a bat in flight. good condition 15"x 5" x 4" with legs extended

Traditional Chinese rural style pillow of bamboo. This pillow would be stored with legs folded under during the day. Good condition 16"x4" by 5" high with legs extended.

This is a charming traditional Chinese child's "wind hat" so called because of the protection the hat gives to the back of the neck. The silk threads of the satin stitched embroidery depict lots of flowers and butterflies. Hat is in good condition

This rare Qing Dynasty mirror folds flat for storage and traveling. The hand-carved wooden frame depicts bamboo stalks, and the mirror cover carving depicts an iris plant in full bloom. The cover drops forward and down thru the legs to the rear where it acts as a back support while the mirror is in use. Protected by a rear wood panel, the original silvered glass mirror does show its age. It can be easily replaced by sliding the rear wooden panel upward. The bottom of the front frame shows so...

This is a wonderful Qing Dynasty child's hat from Shui minority group in the Rong Jiang area. It is traditional looking Chinese cap style made with silk fabric and silk split thread embroidery, and top knot. This hat is over 100 years old, and has wonderfully soft patina, and shows some wear. Truely charming

I was thrilled to acquire this rare Mongolian textile. Utilizing all couching embroidery technique on red wool fabric, it depicts 2 golden dragons chasing the sun. The condition of this piece is remarkably good condition for its age, showing 2 small areas of repair on the top corners. It measures 40" long by 18" from the top to the bottom tip of the tasseles

This baby carrier panel is a lovely old piece. Embroidered with a very intricate flowing pattern using silk floss and wrapped thread and satin stitch techniques. This piece is bordered with hand-loomed fabric. The back of the piece has recently been replaced. Condition is good 19" x 21.5

This old panel is thickly Dazi embroidered in a banded pattern to reflect the terraced mountains sides of the Miao homeland. The panel uses lovely soft pinks and grays which are not adequately represented in the pictures. A beautiful piece in beautiful condition. 80 years old from Ge Yi. approx 21" x 23"

Rare old Shui ethnic minority baby carrier is from Gui Zhou province China. The upper section is elaborately embroidered using mostly satin stitch technique. The lower section is embroidered with horsehair wrapped thread design. Although this carrier shows extensive use, and shows a bit of dirt, it retains its beauty. Measures approx 20" x 36"

This Miao Baby carrier is from the Bai Ling region of China. As is typical of this region, the straps are embroidered. This attractive piece was probably only used for a few festivals before being stored away for the next generations use. In excellant condition, it measures 38" long.

There are many hopes expressed in this baby carrier: red cotton background fabric for the joy of having the baby, the yellow golden embroidered thread patterned in sun symbols and swirling lines throughout the carrier are the wind blowing the bees and pollen around the fields for a sucessfull harvest. Carrier is divided by a strip of very fine needlepoint for added strength. The upper portion of the carrier covers the baby's head from elements and lower portion supports for baby's body. piece ...

Incredible precision is the hallmark of this hand embroidered baby carrier from Ge Jia. The piece is bordered with batik and hand stitch detail which is so fine and precise that it looks like it was done on a machine but it was definately done by hand. This carrier is in very good condition. This older style is now highly prized and rarely appear on the market. baby carrier is 23 inches wide at the top and 27 inches long.

Only a wealthy Chinese woman would have been able to own this rare antique silk headband. Decorating each side of the headband are mirror images of an ornament depicting a bird and using the prized Kingfisher bird feathers. Intergrated with each kingfisher bird ornament is a finely embroidered bird on a branch.

Nice old traditional Chinese opium scale with travel case. The measuring stick is ivory and marked to indicate weights. Approximately 13 inches long, this piece is obviously old and shows signs of use but is in good condition.

This small hinged metal case is covered with leather and opens to display both red ink pot and personal ivory chop. The person's name on the base of the chop is clearly carved. Leather in old China was very expensive...the owner of this chop must been a person of both status and wealth. The leather shows age but is intact and set is in very good condition. The case measures 2.5" X 1+" This is a rare old piece.

This small elaborate Buddhist monk's medicine bottle is sewn into a larger pouch of burgundy homespun wool fabric with yellow/gold silk lining. When worn, the stopper would be securely held in the bottle by a system of handmade cords and bands. The medicine bottle would be worn outside the robes and suspended on the Monk's belt. These were used for both travel and ceremonies.

Floral embroidery in several shades of blue silk thread decorate this white silk sleeve band. Mostly embroidered with satin stitch, there is a rose embroidered with peking knots and high-lighted with gold couching. There is some slight discoloration on the white silk border which could easily be avoided in framing. Embroidered area measures 4" x 16 full panel measures 7" x 32

Pair of black satin weave cotton fabric with white silk satin stitched thread embroidered floral design. very good condition. Each panel measures 7" x 29" Embroidered section measures 4"X 19"

This pair of sleeve bands is made of black cotton satin weave fabric with very delicately stitched floral motif embroidery. Each panel measures 6" x 26" with embroidered area measuring 3" x 9"

This antique Chinese silk dragon court vest is couched with silk thread embroidery designs of dragons, birds, flowers, clouds etc. and accents of gold bouillion thread. Vest shows some minimal wear and is in overall good condition.

The vest dates to the mid 19th century and has a front rank badge with bird facing the wearers left shoulder. This indicates that the original owner was the wife of a civil official. The bird on this rank badge is a made of matching embroidery and fabric sepa...

Delicately carved with a floral motif, is horn was used to give domestic animals medicine. It is Chinese ethnic minority probably from Inner Mongolia. Horn is about 6" long and has small chip at the end of the bowl. It is a wonderful ethnographic piece for the tribal arts collector

This is a Tibetan Ritual Celestial Crown also know as a Diadem or Ringga. It is worn by a necromancer or oracle during rituals. The "crown" consists of 5 separate paintings on paper and each painting is backed with thin cardboard for stiffness. The sections are connected with string. When worn, the crown is tied around the head with string. The sections are painted with the five Dhayani, celestial Buddhas, each painted with his traditional color and gesture. Each section is 4 wide by 6.5 h...

The body of this antique Miao Chinese powder horn is carved with large spider web, small foo dogs, and clouds. The stopper is carved into a lotus blossom. The Miao believe that passed relatives take the form of spiders to visit and watch family members, so spider webs are left undisturbed in the home. This horn is from Kali area and is in excellent condition. It is 80-90 years old and approx 9" long.

This is a very finely embroidered baby carrier from LiPing region. Threads of green and purple silk are used in satin embroidery stitches which are so heavy and so finely done that they almost totally cover the hand-loomed fabric. Additional decorative elements include border areas banded with tiny triangular folded fabric and hand-loomed bands.The upper portion of the carrier would be used to protect the baby's head from the elements. The 3 tassles indicated either that the mother has 3 child...

Beautifully carved powder horn from Chinese Miao ethnic minority over 90 years old from Guizhou Province. The underside of the horn is full of old writing. Unfortunately, no one can read the old writing. Around the turn of the century the forests around the Miao villages were full of game and the men would frequently hunt for game to provide family meals. Unfortunately, most of the game has diminished and many of the hunting skills are forgotten.

This apron would be worn for festival by young woman, recently married and hoping to become pregnant or in the early stage of pregnancy. After the baby is born, the straps will be relocated so that the apron is converted to a baby carrier. The coin bottom border is show hope for good fortune for the baby. The 3 tassles on the end of the apron straps are show hope for eventually having 3 children. The butterfly is considered the mother of the Miao people.

This is a charming baby carrier from Guang Xi which is similiar in shape to those carriers from Rao Jia region. It is made of hand-loomed cotton fabric which is hand stitched and hand embroidered with butterflies and flowers using both cotton and silk thread. The sculptural shape makes a very pleasing wall hanging. The condition of this carrier is very good.

This small wooden box has a charming scene with 2 happy dragons carved into the sliding top. All 4 sides are carved. Late Qing period, box is in good condition, and measures 5" x 3" x 1.5

Bamboo Vests were used as undershirts under silk garments. They served the duel purpose of allowing some air circulation and protected the silk garments from body oils. These vest were fragile and they have become very rare and hard to find. They were made with small pieces of bamboo which are literally strung together to form a garment. This bamboo vest is a particularly nice one. It was constructed of very small bamboo pieces, the edges of the garment are bound with a thin band of linen fab...

This is a pair of old chinese handmade boots which were brought back to the US by an American missionary. In China, it was a woman's responsibility to make shoes for the entire family. This pair was made of cotton fabric, using traditional Chinese techniques. Being slightly padded, they were probably for winter use. They are in excellent condition...an authentic and interesting artifact of old China.

This blanket shaped Miao ethnic minority baby carrier is from Jian He and is a good example of the whorl pattern which was so significant to the Chinese Minority. Made from hand-loomed plant fibers (maybe cotton, maybe bast fibers) the surface is heavily decorated with appliques edged with chain stitching. This carrier is in good condition showing a minimum of wear and dirt and it 80+ years old

Each band of this pair of very fine silk embroideries have 2 sets mirror images: one set of floral motif and the other set of a couple celebrating. Both sets use satin stitch, french knot (aka forbidden stitch) and couching embroidery techniques. The embroideries are on a background fabric of fine patterned silk which measures 6" by 15". The floral embroidery is 1.5 x 2" and the couple embroidery is 1.5 x 5". Because of the sizes of the fabric and the sizes and arrangement of the embroiderie...

Used by the bride for wedding this elaborate kingfisher feather crown is a very old and rare piece. The oldest kingfisher ornaments were made by glueing the feathers onto heavy paper. Metal wire was only used to attach pieces together. Both paper and the feathers are fragile, so not many of these old pieces have survived. This one is in average to good condition, some paper loss and some feather loss. It has its original long silk tassels and large glass beads though some of the small beads...

This is a charming one-of-a-kind hand-carved box. It has a crudely carved dog on top with wooden hinge that swings open. There are side openings for striker strip.

This antique Chinese silver bracelet is hinged at the back and opens in the front. The silver work displays plant leaves and a bird. The bead work is both coral and turquoise. Bracelet is stamped "China" which according to trade laws makes it late Qing, about 1890. Its in very good condition

This charming old Chinese headband was handmade for a small child sometime in the late Qing dynasty. It is one of the nicest animal headbands that I have seen, and it is in good condition. The cat's face would have been worn at the child's forehead and is 3 dimensional. Made with silk fabric, with silk thread for the elaborately embroidery, the face is complete with ears that flap, and side paws. Opened at the back seam for easy framing, it can easily be re-sewn to fit display stand.

This Chinese carved bamboo brush rest has traditional dragons chasing pearl and cloud motif. The background shape is the 5 mountains and the rim of the mountains have carved ridges. The piece measures 3.5 inches high and 6 inches across. The natural curve of the bamboo allows the piece to stay upright, and the piece remains balanced on the 1/2 inch thick bamboo. Condition is very good.

This hat is extensively decorated with the wrapped thread embroidery technique which is distinctive to the Dong Ethnic Minority group. Additionally detailed with tassels and plastic beads, the hat was clearly made by a loving grandmother approximately 30-35 years ago. The hat is in excellent condition.

This antique Chinese circular lidded container was made from a single valuable horn. It is a tribute to both the horn and the skill of the craftsman. Horn can be cut, and carved, but it is not a flexible material. According to my Chinese friends, the thinner and more translucent the horn, the more it is valued. The cross-section of an ox (buffalo)horn is oval, but a Yak horn is circular. This is a prized horn. Approx 4" high and 2.5" diameter.

This is a traditional Chinese pack saddle which were used throughout China for carrying various sacks of grains and goods. The front is carved foo dogs and there is a key carved decoration around the border. It is unusual to find this type saddle with the painted black lacquered finish. This one was probably owned by a wealthy family and used only for special events. The finish is worn off as the straps from the packs and sacks have worn off the finish across the areas where they would have ...

This rural Mongolian bucket is made from lemon wood and was used daily to draw water from the local village well. Truely an ethnographic relic with original iron fittings, and evidence of constant use and old repairs. It is both large and heavy. The diameter of the bucket is 18" and the bucket alone is 14" deep, add another 11" for the handle and iron toggle fitting. The weight is approx 15 lbs. Originally made about 250 yrs ago and probably used constantly for a couple of centuries.

After hand-weaving their home spun yarn, the Miao women of Na Dan would use contrasting thread colors to create an intricate embroidery of geometric patterns on their precious baby carriers. These pieces were highly prized, used primarily for festival, and were handed down through succeeding generations.

The pouch at the top of the tassel most likely contains various herbs to bring health and good fortune to the baby. The 3 main tassels are actually subdivided into 3, which represented the ...

This pair of Chinese lotus shoes, aka bound feet shoes, have a soft golden color silk vamp. Each side of the shoes is embroidered with the same pattern, and uses satin stitch silk thread.

The embroidery pattern on these lotus shoes has always mystified me. There is a woman and an animal that is possibly intended to be a giraffe. I vaguely remember some bits of information. The Chinese first heard about the African giraffes from verbal and written descriptions. They were fascinated wit...

This Chinese ethnic minority hair comb was hand carved with scalloped edge detail on both sides. Many ethnic minority women would save the hair from ancestors and add it to their own hair for additional bulk...some groups would add bits of wool also to make the hair appear thicker. Combs were used both for combing and for hair ornaments. Carved from walnut wood and 9 inches long at the bottom

During the Qing dynasty, carved wood blocks were used to produce the ancestor portraits which decorated the homes of many Chinese families. The Chinese translation of the term "ancestor Portraits" can be misleading to Westerners. These were not portraits of the particular family's ancestors. They were portraits of various Chinese officials, emperor, empress, etc. for whom the family wished to show respect and or allegiance.

This stencil is approximately 9" by 9" and has some calligraphy ...

This Korean brush would have been used for painting and/or large calligraphy. The handle is an old horn of rich brown tones and a soft matte patina from use. The bristles are long and soft and show some ink residue close to the ferrule. It is a wonderful brush to hold

This antique Chinese hand carved wooden bobbin still has a length of home spun thread which winds around the middle. The bobbin shows extensive use, with some areas of paint and finish heavily patinated and other areas just worn away.

This is an antique Chinese set of carved bone dominoes, complete with dice and original wooden box. Carved by hand sometime in the Qing dynasty, the 32 dominos vary abit in shape, size and thickness and the bone dice are a bit off cube.

The box is just under 5 inches x 2.5 inches x 1.5 inches.

This lovely small woman's purse was made from silk satin fabric and embroidered with silk thread useing the satin stitch. The purse still has the original silk ribbon attached to the bottom, and belt loop attached at the top.

Long lengths of treads or first braided into a "tape" and then the tape is tightly sewn to a background in elaborate pattern to depict various elements of Miao legends and myths.

Leather products were rare and expensive during the Qing Dynasty in China. Fans were in common usage and a quality fan would have required a proper protective case. A wealthy woman could have afforded this suede fan case and would have considered it as the acceptable accessory to properly detail her finery.

The case is 9+ inches long with silk cord for drawstrings, elaborately knotted and tasseled.

Many Chinese would "grind" a day's supply of ink in advance and store the liquid ink in a metal "inkbox". According to the calligraphy on the top of this inkbox, it was a gift in the year of the goat, to a medical inspector upon completion of his 3rd year of work in Yuncheng city, Shanxi province. The inkbox is 3 inches in diameter and has an dried ink in the bottom and a built in inkstone inside the lid.

This Shui childs hat is very heavily and intricately embroidered using wrapped cotton thread. The base background blue and black fabric has a subtle pattern which takes extra care and attention while weaving on the loom. a series of silver ornamental "bubbles" further decorates the front lower border of the hat. Over 60 years old and in very good condition it will make a wonderful addition to any collection

A Chinese doctor would use this stoneware clay pillow to support the wrist while taking the pulse of a patient.

The pillow was made using slab construction and all the surfaces are decorated with a star pattern and covered with a traditional glaze. There is a tiny vent hole on the bottom to facilitate firing. It measures 4.5x3 x 1.5 inches and is covered with traditional green glaze. The age estimate on this is very conservative...this is a rare artifact and possibly much older than liste...

This plain pot metal vessel was used to contain hair oil during the reign of Chinese Emperor Daoquang about 1850. Standing about 6 inches high and 3.5 inches diameter at the widest point, a woman would dip her comb into the oil before combing her hair. I do have an identical matched pair of these but am selling them separately.

An unidentified hard wood was used to carve this set of 4 matching wooden saucers. They would have been used for tea bowls and have traditional red/orange lacquer paint over a treebark carved pattern on the front surface. Each saucer was carved into a diamond shape with gently curved sides and are each was carved into a thin, shallow bowl shape. This is a rare and unusual set in very good condition.

Each piece measures 5 inches x 4 inches and 1 inch deep.